The 2024 Paris Olympics will showcase men's basketball teams from around the world, including many notable NBA stars representing a total of 11 countries.
The men's basketball 5x5 competition begins on Saturday, July 27 and runs through Saturday, August 10 with the gold medal game. Countries were placed into three groups (A, B and C) ahead of the Olympics. Four games will take place each day until the quarterfinals begin on Tuesday, August 6.
Team USA's men's basketball team in particular has a long history at the Olympics, winning a total of 16 gold medals so far. Team USA won seven consecutive gold medals from 1936–68, establishing an early dynasty in the sport.
Later on, USA basketball became more famous for some of the teams in the 1990s, such as the Dream Team. The 2008 Redeem Team started the current dynasty, as the men's United States basketball team has won gold in the four Olympics since. Needless to say, Team USA has a huge weight of expecations on its shoulders heading into the Paris Olympics.
While Team USA is often seen as the Olympic powerhouse in men's basketball, there are some strong NBA players competing for other countries. Here's a list of which current and former NBA players fans can expect to see at the Paris Olympics later this month.
List of NBA Olympians by Country
United States
The United States has the most NBA players represented with the entire 12-man roster made up of players from the NBA.
Five of the 12 players are making their Olympic debut, including Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards. On the other hand end of the spectrum, LeBron James and Kevin Durant are making their fourth Olympic appearances.
Canada
All but one player on Canada's Olympic roster has NBA experience. Some of the big stars include Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This is the first appearance for Canada's men's basketball team since 2000.
Canada will be looking to repeat and further the success they had last summer during the World Cup when they beat the United States in the bronze medal game.
Australia
Two of Australia's team members—Patty Mills and Joe Ingles—are making their fifth Olympic appearances.
Australia won the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
France
This year's French men's basketball Olympic team has a lot of hype around it as one of the NBA's biggest young stars, Victor Wembanyama, will make his Olympic debut in his home country. Additionally, four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert will represent France in his third Olympics.
France will be looking for revenge against the United States this year after they picked up the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Serbia
The Serbian Olympic team will have a lot of eyes on it as three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic will lead the team.
Serbia earned the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics after losing to the United States in the final. Only two of those players are returning to this year's roster.
Germany
Germany has never earned a men's basketball Olympic medal, but with the help of four current NBA players on the roster, the team is hoping for better results this year.
Spain
Spain will be looking to earn a medal after missing out in the gold and bronze medal games at the last Olympics. Before Tokyo, Spain earned three medals in a row—two silvers in 2008 and '12 and one bronze in 2016.
Spain only has two active NBA players on the roster, Santi Aldama and Usman Garuba, while the other names mentioned below are former NBA stars.
South Sudan
The biggest NBA name on South Sudan's Olympic team is Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol. He will be making his Olympic debut for his home country of South Sudan in Paris.
This is the first year in which South Sudan has an Olympic basketball team.
Greece
Greece has one active NBA player on its Olympic roster, and it helps that it's two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. He will be making his Olympic debut, and he was also named the flagbearer for Greece.
Greece has never won an Olympic medal in men's basketball.
Brazil
Brazil has one active NBA player on its Olympic roster, Gui Santos. While Brazil has three Olympic bronze medals in men's basketball, they last won a medal in 1964.
Japan
Japan has two active NBA players on its Olympic roster, including 2019 first-rounder Rui Hachimura. Like some of the other countries mentioned above, Japan has never won a men's basketball medal.
Puerto Rico
New Orleans Pelicans' Jose Alvarado is the one NBA player representing Puerto Rico this year.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Every NBA Player Competing in the 2024 Olympic Games by Country.
